1942 M39 Austrian capture (showcase submission)
Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:39 pm
As some of you may know I work at a gun shop that is owned by one of the owners of Southern Ohio Guns. Earlier this week I was presented with this 1942 VKT Finnish M39 as a thank you kind of bonus. He told me over the phone it was something special. It sure is.
Sometime in 1912 this receiver attached to only what might be a Russian Tula M91 possibly used as such during the First World War, (July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918 ) and captured by the Austrians during that war. Only the receiver if it could speak could tell us to what use it was to the Austrians during it's time there. The ownership by the Austrians is evidenced by the OEWG stamp on the top of receiver. Also as evidenced by the small AV1 stamped on the barrel at the wood line. The AV1 translates to the arsenal 1 or Asevarikko 1 as it is in the original Finnish. As I understand these receivers,many still in M91 configuration, shot out or not, were sold to Finland during the 1920s. There it lay until The Finns put in its currant configuration as an M39. The barrel dates to 1942 as VKT, (Valtion Kirvaaritehdas), M39s were done postwar utilizing VKT M91 barrels they made during previous years. Other identifiable markings are only the Finnish proof stamps, again at the wood line. The bore is rated at a 2 as shown on the hang tag, which those also were only on post war produced rifles. An interesting number on the hang tag is the bore measurement of 7.61.
The stock is of Arctic Birch and except for maybe a light oil there appears to be no finish on it. The splice shown here is of the type that is called a transitional splice. These splices while appearing to be of Russian origin are not. This splice was done between the time prewar splices were no longer used and before the post war splices were used. Also found on this stock at the rear of the stock at the butt plate are Finnish Butt reinforcement pieces that are dated beginning in 1956.
Put all these parts stamps and markings together and you have an unissued 1942 VKT M39. Another item that makes this unique is that it is all numbers matching except the butt plate. There is a number but it is lined out. As an added accessory there is an original unissued SKY marked sling.
To know just where and when all these parts came together is all in the history we long to solve. I have to admit that the urge to shoot this is very strong but it will sit in a place of honor in my collection to be passed on to my son unfired, possibly to my grandson and beyond.
Sometime in 1912 this receiver attached to only what might be a Russian Tula M91 possibly used as such during the First World War, (July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918 ) and captured by the Austrians during that war. Only the receiver if it could speak could tell us to what use it was to the Austrians during it's time there. The ownership by the Austrians is evidenced by the OEWG stamp on the top of receiver. Also as evidenced by the small AV1 stamped on the barrel at the wood line. The AV1 translates to the arsenal 1 or Asevarikko 1 as it is in the original Finnish. As I understand these receivers,many still in M91 configuration, shot out or not, were sold to Finland during the 1920s. There it lay until The Finns put in its currant configuration as an M39. The barrel dates to 1942 as VKT, (Valtion Kirvaaritehdas), M39s were done postwar utilizing VKT M91 barrels they made during previous years. Other identifiable markings are only the Finnish proof stamps, again at the wood line. The bore is rated at a 2 as shown on the hang tag, which those also were only on post war produced rifles. An interesting number on the hang tag is the bore measurement of 7.61.
The stock is of Arctic Birch and except for maybe a light oil there appears to be no finish on it. The splice shown here is of the type that is called a transitional splice. These splices while appearing to be of Russian origin are not. This splice was done between the time prewar splices were no longer used and before the post war splices were used. Also found on this stock at the rear of the stock at the butt plate are Finnish Butt reinforcement pieces that are dated beginning in 1956.
Put all these parts stamps and markings together and you have an unissued 1942 VKT M39. Another item that makes this unique is that it is all numbers matching except the butt plate. There is a number but it is lined out. As an added accessory there is an original unissued SKY marked sling.
To know just where and when all these parts came together is all in the history we long to solve. I have to admit that the urge to shoot this is very strong but it will sit in a place of honor in my collection to be passed on to my son unfired, possibly to my grandson and beyond.
Very cool rifle. 
